POTTSTOWN, PA (Feb. 4, 2006) - A Sanatoga writer and photographer during January hit a milestone in his decades-long career: his stock photos have now been downloaded more than 17,000 times by Internet users worldwide.

Joseph M. “Joe” Zlomek, of North Sanatoga Road, is a regular contributor to StockXchng, one of the largest stock photo community websites in the world (www.sxc.hu) . As of Jan. 31, Zlomek ranked among the top 3 percent of StockXchng’s more than 10,000 photographers in the number of times his pictures had been saved for use in artistic projects.

Artists, designers and publicists all have occasional need – in advertising, films, press releases, or websites – for photos that depict common business activities or daily life. They may lack the time or talent to capture images that suit their needs, and so turn to vendors like StockXchng that provide pictures from their “stock.”

Most of Zlomek’s photos are taken as he works freelance on editorial projects for corporate clients, or in his capacity as marketing director for Polley Associates, a real estate school in Newtown Square PA. His gallery on StockXchng currently contains 56 photographs.

Users of Zlomek’s photos include the Operations Engineering Department of Cinergy, a Cincinnati OH-based utility; the public, non-profit stations of Radio Kansas; Echelon Australia, an insurance risk management firm in Brisbane; and the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club.

Zlomek was the 1981 International Award Winner for News Photography presented by the International Association of Firefighters. In addition, Zlomek has won several local and regional journalism awards. He has been an active member of the Society of Professional Journalists since 1988.

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